Women in Business Awards 2015

Canberra Women in Business were frocked up and ready to party at their annual awards presentation night at QT and if you like me have no idea what the QT stands for you’ll be even more confused if you try to find out because the blurb says it sits within the ‘Iconic Lakeside Hotel’, which if course we know. So with a name like a throat lozenge or an American cotton bud, I find it decidedly odd.

But this bunch of ladies was not in the least bit interested in that line of thought. Their efforts at the coal face of Canberra businesses is impressive and after all the effort, hard work and 24/7 commitment, to have the kind of recognition your peers give you is not just important for self esteem but gives you a formidable network to use too.

Among the winners as Business Woman of the Year is Karen Porter of Solace Creations. It’s the kind of business that is logical for our climate with passive solar houses and double glazing her passion and all of us clambering to build or convert with the kind of windows we should have used in the first place. Especially after this winter which for any Canberran of longstanding will go down in history as the coldest ever. Highly Commended in that category was Maryanne Gore of Project Lighting.

Young Business Woman of the Year is Rita Joyan whose story shows the kind of determination refugees bring with them and the obstacles they overcome to succeed. Fascinating was her business called Unbox Your Gift, teaching women how to make the most of their abilities and find the right career path.Community Spirit is second nature to Jenni Tarrant of Bond Hair Religion using her salon as a haven as she sponsors charities that support victims of abuse. And Mary-Jane Liddicoat has established her Polit Bar in the Manuka precinct, picking up the best new business award.

Diverse, hard working and determined women of all ages make up the Women in Business. Hopefully one day we wont see the work they do or the career path they take as anything out of the ordinary.